Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

David's Heart of Integrity

This 5/1/16 message by Elder Mike Gowens focuses on Psalm 78:70-72 and the priority of the heart in leadership and discipleship. God places a premium on a heart of integrity. The most striking characteristic of David's life was a heart that beat in rhythm with the heart of God.

The Triad of Christian Graces

This message by Michael L. Gowens, delivered on 4/17/16, challenges the "performance trap" in popular religion. It is based on 1 Corinthians 13:13: "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." Elder Gowens contrasts the spiritual gifts that "cease" with these spiritual graces that "abide" (or remain). This trio of virtues, more than anything else, define authentic Christianity.

No Other Name

This 4/24/16 message by Elder Michael Gowens is based on Acts 4:12. Pastor Gowens connects this text to the narrative of the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple in Acts 3, showing that the Lord Jesus Christ is still in the business of changing lives. 

Revelation: The Big Picture

Returning once more to the book of Revelation, Michael Gowens offers an overview of this final book in the Biblical canon. Christian people do not have to be skeptical or suspicious of Revelation. In fact, a grasp of the big ideas in this book will prove to be an encouragement to battle-weary believers in this world. This sermon was preached on 4/10/16.

Heaven's Library

In this 4/3/16 message, Elder Gowens examines five "books" mentioned in the book of Revelation, discussing the meaning and signficance of each: The Lamb's Book of Life, the books of judgment, the book of the living, the book of history, and the little, open book of Holy Scripture.

A Resurrection Gospel

On Easter Sunday 2016, Pastor Gowens employed three post-resurrection appearances of the risen Christ, as recorded in John 20, to teach the contemporary relevance of the doctrine of the resurrection to believers now. It is because of the empty tomb alone that we have a message of good news.

Trusting God in the Dark

Elder Michael Gowens delivered this message on 3/20/16. It is based on the text in Isaiah 50:10-11 in which the prophet addresses the perplexing experience of a child of light walking in darkness. Here is counsel and comfort to people who may find themselves passing through a season of dark and unfriendly circumstances.

The Believer's Love for the House of God

In this 3/13/16 message, Pastor Gowens employs Psalm 84 as a model for our attitude toward the privilege of public worship in the church. This Psalm describes the joys of a "church-centered life," presenting for us one man's opinion on the beauties of the house of the Lord. In a day when the church is maligned, disregarded and deemed irrelevant, the need for believers to rediscover the beauty and value of God's house is of supreme importance.

Three New Testament Sacrifices

This 3/6/16 sermon by Elder Michael Gowens is based on Hebrews 13:10-16. Contrasting the millions of sacrifices offered under the Old Testament Levitical system with the New Covenant order of worship, Gowens highlights Christ's sacrifice on the cross as the basis of two further sacrifices the New Testament identifies as appropriate responses to His grace. Believers, like David old, must not offer to the Lord that which cost them nothing, but be ready to let go of every claim to personal privilege and possession since Jesus gave up everything for them.

Unconditional & Gospel Salvation

In this message from 2/28/16, Michael Gowens contrasts Romans 10:1-3 with Romans 11:26-29 to teach the importance of distinguishing, when interpreting Scripture, between eternal salvation and gospel salvation. He shows how the verb "to save" in God's word sometimes refers to a deliverance other than the ultimate sense of eternal salvation. Such an exercise in "right division is a hallmark of what Primitive Baptists believe.